Security Takes More Than Walls

Security Takes More Than Walls

What kind of people does God use to fulfill his purposes?

IN 445 B.C. Nehemiah, the cupbearer to the king of Persia, received permission from the king to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city’s wall, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians 142 years earlier. To give Nehemiah the proper authority, the king appointed him governor of Judah. Nehemiah then returned to Jerusalem with an armed escort from the king. Under Nehemiah’s direction the wall was rebuilt (Nehemiah 1:1–6:15).

But Nehemiah knew that more than a wall was needed to accomplish God’s purposes. Jerusalem needed to be filled with a people who had God’s Word (7:4–8:18). But just hearing the word of God was not enough. The Jews who had returned to Jerusalem needed to repent of their sins and commit themselves wholeheartedly to the God of the Word (10:29). Only then would Jerusalem be secure.

When there was a change of rulers in Israel, there often was a covenant renewal ceremony in which the people confessed their sins and renewed their covenant under their new ruler. October 31, 445 B.C., was the day for the Jews of Judah to renew their covenant with their Lord, taking an oath of allegiance to God under their new governor, Nehemiah.

They first had to confess their sins to God. Therefore, the people came together dressed in sackcloth to fast and to confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors. The Book of the Law of the Lord was read aloud to them for about three hours. Then for three more hours they took turns confessing their sins and worshiping the Lord their God (9:1-4).

In their prayer they confessed their years of serving other gods and their breaking of God’s commandments. They took ownership of the sins that had brought the curse of God’s covenant upon them and resulted in them being taken captive to Babylon. Even though Nehemiah was their governor, those who had returned to Jerusalem were still virtual slaves of Persia. They realized that their only hope was in turning back to God. As their Covenant Lord, he alone could lift the curse (vv. 5-37).

The leaders and people then gave an oath of allegiance to the Lord. They vowed to accept the curse of God if they failed to obey his law as given by Moses. They solemnly promised to follow faithfully all the commands, laws, and regulations of the Lord. They put their oath in writing and sealed it with the personal seals of the leaders (v. 38–10:29).

The covenant was thus renewed, and Nehemiah and all the people were now a people consecrated to God for his service and fit to live within the walls of his city, the newly secured Jerusalem.

Reflection

The ceremony by which we are to renew our personal covenant with God is the Lord’s Supper. We are to make this our regular time of self-examination and confession of sin. Then, following the example of Nehemiah and the people of Judah, we are to renew our personal oath of allegiance to our Lord Jesus Christ.

As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God’s blessing on it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, poured out for many, sealing the covenant between God and his people.”

Mark 14:22-24